Training Pre-season 2026

[sregit]

Exactly right, so many oppo supporters really don’t get what Blair and the recruiters have managed to achieve. We are gonna be a force in the next season or two, many oppo supporters just don’t see it coming, but it is just a few seasons away. Unbelievable what the recruiting and List Management team has done in respect of list management, just unbelievable imo. Never seen a better bunch of kids at Tigerland in my 64 years, never.

You need to calm down. We do not have one absolute star on our list and it takes 3 or 4 to contend at the pointy end of a season. Yes we have juniors who appear to have good talent but in all likelihood we’ll be lucky if two are top level stars and another 2-4 are B grade types. It’s ridiculous to think more than half of our 12 draft picks in the last 2 years are going to be top liners. I still think there is a lot more list building to do via the draft/trades/FA. Another 2/3 years developing the list, 5 years until we really contend.

 

[SleepingGiant]

You need to calm down. We do not have one absolute star on our list and it takes 3 or 4 to contend at the pointy end of a season. Yes we have juniors who appear to have good talent but in all likelihood we’ll be lucky if two are top level stars and another 2-4 are B grade types. It’s ridiculous to think more than half of our 12 draft picks in the last 2 years are going to be top liners. I still think there is a lot more list building to do via the draft/trades/FA. Another 2/3 years developing the list, 5 years until we really contend.

 

[Groupie_]

Exactly right, so many oppo supporters really don’t get what Blair and the recruiters have managed to achieve. We are gonna be a force in the next season or two, many oppo supporters just don’t see it coming, but it is just a few seasons away. Unbelievable what the recruiting and List Management team has done in respect of list management, just unbelievable imo. Never seen a better bunch of kids at Tigerland in my 64 years, never.

are u serious we had chimp, riewoldt dusty lids and rance in the first dumma side

not to mention nathan foley who was a young gun but got destroyed by injuries

 

[tigerfan1961]

You need to calm down. We do not have one absolute star on our list and it takes 3 or 4 to contend at the pointy end of a season. Yes we have juniors who appear to have good talent but in all likelihood we’ll be lucky if two are top level stars and another 2-4 are B grade types. It’s ridiculous to think more than half of our 12 draft picks in the last 2 years are going to be top liners. I still think there is a lot more list building to do via the draft/trades/FA. Another 2/3 years developing the list, 5 years until we really contend.

Been watching the Tiges for over 45 years Mate and this is by far the best bunch of juniors I’ve seen on our list. I’ll back them and Blair and his recruiting team, to the hilt. You obviously don’t rate them as highly as I do.
I’m confident we easily have more than 2 “top liners” on our list right now and there’s far more high end talent than you're seeing, your opinion which you’re entitled to, but I respectfully strongly disagree

 

[Meteoric Rise]

You need to calm down. We do not have one absolute star on our list and it takes 3 or 4 to contend at the pointy end of a season. Yes we have juniors who appear to have good talent but in all likelihood we’ll be lucky if two are top level stars and another 2-4 are B grade types. It’s ridiculous to think more than half of our 12 draft picks in the last 2 years are going to be top liners. I still think there is a lot more list building to do via the draft/trades/FA. Another 2/3 years developing the list, 5 years until we really contend.

Prior to 2006 we had no full time recruiter.

2006(with 1 f/t recruiter) 1st pick Riewoldt 13, 2nd pick Edwards 26

2007 1st pick Cotchin 2, 2nd pick Rance 18

2008 1st pick Vickery 8, 2nd pick Post 26

2009(3 f/t recruiters) 1st pick Martin 3, 2nd pick Griffiths 19

2010 1st pick Conca 6, 2nd pick Batchelor 30

2011 1st pick Ellis 15, 2nd pick Elton 26

2012 1st pick Vlastuin 9, 2nd pick McIntosh 31.

14 picks inside 31 over 7 drafts.

Top liners: Cotchin, Edwards, Riewoldt, Rance, Martin, Vlastuin.

Other Premiership players: B Ellis, McIntosh.

Players who left for good compensation: Vickery(Bolton 29) and Deledio who was pre-existent on the list(20 Coleman-Jones & 25 Balta.)

Other players recruited during this period who went on to play in Premierships: Astbury, Grimes, Houli, Grigg

Basically 9 of the 14 top 31 picks + one pre-existing player(Deledio-Balta) were converted into Premiership players for us. And another 4 who were recruited outside the top 31 or in a low value trade.

That is what 1 and then 3 f/t recruiters did with 14 picks 31 or lower last time we were building a team.


================================================


This time, with 6 f/t recruiters and a whole load of accumulated IP.....our picks inside 31:


2021 Gibcus 9, Brown 17, Sonsie 28, Banks 29, Clarke 30

2024 Lalor 1, Smillie 7, Hotton 12, Faull 14, Trainor 21, Armstrong 23, Sims 28

2025 Cumming 7, Grlj 8, Peucker 31


We have already taken 15 picks inside pick 31 over a span of 5 drafts(last time it was 7 drafts for 14 players inside 31.) It produced 6 top liners and 3 other flag players + another player who left for good compensation.

Last rebuild 14 picks 2, 3, 6, 8, 9, 13, 15, 18, 19, 26, 26, 26, 30, 31. Average pick 17.

This rebuild 15 picks 1, 7, 7, 8, 9, 12, 14, 17, 21, 23, 28, 28, 29, 30, 31. Average pick 18.(remember the average picks our rivals are taking is also higher due to more teams)

A big difference is this time we have a fully funded recruiting department. Thus players like Miller & Campbell have been found who look capable of playing key roles in successful teams. And this time our recruits are being led by a very successful cohort of players from our last dynasty, last time they had to figure things out for themselves.

The other thing is in the previous rebuild there were no successful players of the future pre-existing on the list. This time that may be different with Balta, Miller, Ross, Ralphsmith, Rioli and you may as well say Taranto pre-existing on the list before the rebuild commenced, any or all of whom could be involved in future success.

If we got 6 top liners from 14 x top 31 picks last time, I don't think it is outrageous to think we might get as many or more from 15 x top 31 picks this time. Plus from outside those top 31 picks Campbell is already shaping as a high end player and several others couldn't be ruled out at this point, esp McAuliffe, Fawcett, Gray, Alger.

 

[Tenacious T]

The resemblance to dusty is scary crazy……just saying.

 

[chriso11]

Reckon Ben Miller is going to take a step towards being an elite FB of the competition. Ended last season very well and will be full of confidence. Great speed and excellent footskills for a big man. Looking forward to seeing what he produces

 

[AllHart]

Attended the Open Training event at Beaconsfield yesterday. While it wasn't a full-on training session it was a great family event and a chance to see our players up close in a relaxed and fun atmosphere. My 20 minute video of the day:

 

[SunshineBoy]

Prior to 2006 we had no full time recruiter.

2006(with 1 f/t recruiter) 1st pick Riewoldt 13, 2nd pick Edwards 26

2007 1st pick Cotchin 2, 2nd pick Rance 18

2008 1st pick Vickery 8, 2nd pick Post 26

2009(3 f/t recruiters) 1st pick Martin 3, 2nd pick Griffiths 19

2010 1st pick Conca 6, 2nd pick Batchelor 30

2011 1st pick Ellis 15, 2nd pick Elton 26

2012 1st pick Vlastuin 9, 2nd pick McIntosh 31.

14 picks inside 31 over 7 drafts.

Top liners: Cotchin, Edwards, Riewoldt, Rance, Martin, Vlastuin.

Other Premiership players: Astbury, B Ellis, McIntosh.

Players who left for good compensation: Vickery(Bolton 29) and Deledio who was pre-existent on the list(20 Coleman-Jones & 25 Balta.)

Basically 10 of the 14 + one pre-existing player(Deledio-Balta) were converted into Premiership players for us.


That is what 1 and then 3 f/t recruiters did with 14 picks 31 or lower last time we were building a team.


================================================


This time, with 6 f/t recruiters and a whole load of accumulated IP.....our picks inside 31:


2021 Gibcus 9, Brown 17, Sonsie 28, Banks 29, Clarke 30

2024 Lalor 1, Smillie 7, Hotton 12, Faull 14, Trainor 21, Armstrong 23, Sims 28

2025 Cumming 7, Grlj 8, Peucker 31


We have already taken 15 picks inside pick 31 over a span of 5 drafts(last time it was 7 drafts for 14 players inside 31.) It produced 6 top liners and 3 other flag players + another player who left for good compensation.

Last rebuild 14 picks 2, 3, 6, 8, 9, 13, 15, 18, 19, 26, 26, 26, 30, 31. Average pick 17.

This rebuild 15 picks 1, 7, 7, 8, 9, 12, 14, 17, 21, 23, 28, 28, 29, 30, 31. Average pick 18.(remember the average picks our rivals are taking is also higher due to more teams)

A big difference is this time we have a fully funded recruiting department. Thus players like Miller & Campbell have been found who look capable of playing key roles in successful teams. And this time our recruits are being led by a very successful cohort of players from our last dynasty, last time they had to figure things out for themselves.

The other thing is in the previous rebuild there were no successful players of the future pre-existing on the list. This time that may be different with Balta, Miller, Ross, Ralphsmith, Rioli and you may as well say Taranto pre-existing on the list before the rebuild commenced, any or all of whom could be involved in future success.

If we got 6 top liners from 14 x top 31 picks last time, I don't think it is outrageous to think we might get as many or more from 15 x top 31 picks this time. Plus from outside those top 31 picks Campbell is already shaping as a high end player and several others couldn't be ruled out at this point, esp McAuliffe, Fawcett, Gray, Alger.

Ron the Bear would be proud

 

[SunshineBoy]

Attended the Open Training event at Beaconsfield yesterday. While it wasn't a full-on training session it was a great family event and a chance to see our players up close in a relaxed and fun atmosphere. My 20 minute video of the day:

That’s what I meant Craigeburn via Lygon Street

 

[SunshineBoy]

The resemblance to dusty is scary crazy……just saying.

View attachment 2519204

It’s missing something

 

[Meteoric Rise]

It’s missing something

Needs some of these:

 

[Lord of the Wings]

Attended the Open Training event at Beaconsfield yesterday. While it wasn't a full-on training session it was a great family event and a chance to see our players up close in a relaxed and fun atmosphere. My 20 minute video of the day:

Great work well done
My highlight was Ralphshit missing a 10m pass to Miller by 5m

 

[Hoos]

Great work well done
My highlight was Ralphshit missing a 10m pass to Miller by 5m

Only 5m? There's hope for him yet. Reading between the lines though, I can see how you might think it was really Sonsie to blame.

 

[JAKLAUGHING]

Prior to 2006 we had no full time recruiter.

2006(with 1 f/t recruiter) 1st pick Riewoldt 13, 2nd pick Edwards 26

2007 1st pick Cotchin 2, 2nd pick Rance 18

2008 1st pick Vickery 8, 2nd pick Post 26

2009(3 f/t recruiters) 1st pick Martin 3, 2nd pick Griffiths 19

2010 1st pick Conca 6, 2nd pick Batchelor 30

2011 1st pick Ellis 15, 2nd pick Elton 26

2012 1st pick Vlastuin 9, 2nd pick McIntosh 31.

14 picks inside 31 over 7 drafts.

Top liners: Cotchin, Edwards, Riewoldt, Rance, Martin, Vlastuin.

Other Premiership players: Astbury, B Ellis, McIntosh.

Players who left for good compensation: Vickery(Bolton 29) and Deledio who was pre-existent on the list(20 Coleman-Jones & 25 Balta.)

Basically 10 of the 14 + one pre-existing player(Deledio-Balta) were converted into Premiership players for us.


That is what 1 and then 3 f/t recruiters did with 14 picks 31 or lower last time we were building a team.


================================================


This time, with 6 f/t recruiters and a whole load of accumulated IP.....our picks inside 31:


2021 Gibcus 9, Brown 17, Sonsie 28, Banks 29, Clarke 30

2024 Lalor 1, Smillie 7, Hotton 12, Faull 14, Trainor 21, Armstrong 23, Sims 28

2025 Cumming 7, Grlj 8, Peucker 31


We have already taken 15 picks inside pick 31 over a span of 5 drafts(last time it was 7 drafts for 14 players inside 31.) It produced 6 top liners and 3 other flag players + another player who left for good compensation.

Last rebuild 14 picks 2, 3, 6, 8, 9, 13, 15, 18, 19, 26, 26, 26, 30, 31. Average pick 17.

This rebuild 15 picks 1, 7, 7, 8, 9, 12, 14, 17, 21, 23, 28, 28, 29, 30, 31. Average pick 18.(remember the average picks our rivals are taking is also higher due to more teams)

A big difference is this time we have a fully funded recruiting department. Thus players like Miller & Campbell have been found who look capable of playing key roles in successful teams. And this time our recruits are being led by a very successful cohort of players from our last dynasty, last time they had to figure things out for themselves.

The other thing is in the previous rebuild there were no successful players of the future pre-existing on the list. This time that may be different with Balta, Miller, Ross, Ralphsmith, Rioli and you may as well say Taranto pre-existing on the list before the rebuild commenced, any or all of whom could be involved in future success.

If we got 6 top liners from 14 x top 31 picks last time, I don't think it is outrageous to think we might get as many or more from 15 x top 31 picks this time. Plus from outside those top 31 picks Campbell is already shaping as a high end player and several others couldn't be ruled out at this point, esp McAuliffe, Fawcett, Gray, Alger.

 

[guruisatiger]

Attended the Open Training event at Beaconsfield yesterday. While it wasn't a full-on training session it was a great family event and a chance to see our players up close in a relaxed and fun atmosphere. My 20 minute video of the day:

Thanks for this. awesome job
Long sleeve training shirt is elite

 

[Yze does it]

Been watching the Tiges for over 45 years Mate and this is by far the best bunch of juniors I’ve seen on our list. I’ll back them and Blair and his recruiting team, to the hilt. You obviously don’t rate them as highly as I do.
I’m confident we easily have more than 2 “top liners” on our list right now and there’s far more high end talent than you're seeing, your opinion which you’re entitled to, but I respectfully strongly disagree

Greedy 1961 leave some kool aid for the rest of us

 

[THE_GUN]

Great work well done
My highlight was Ralphshit missing a 10m pass to Miller by 5m

You live for that stuff and have an orgasm over mistakes or miss kicks or missed marks by Richmond players
Did you not see the beautiful skills of Tyler Sonsie and how he was pin point kicking

* New Burner required as this account is worse than the trump accounts
full of shit

 

[cairo tiger]

Gibscus/ haven't heard much about this kid. why isnt he dominating match sim?

 

[Meteoric Rise]

Gibscus/ haven't heard much about this kid. why isnt he dominating match sim?

He has played about 6 full games of footy at any level in 3 years, and probably under instruction to ease himself into it.

 

[Groupie_]

Gibscus/ haven't heard much about this kid. why isnt he dominating match sim?

hes waiting for the paper mache to heal

 

[Infamy]

Not saying he will be, but this kid has the potential to be the equal or better of Dusty. He's a great decision maker, has the fend off down pat, is a much better overhead mark and is an elite kick. Could be absolutely anything.
Got a Mate who’s a bummers fan, said after round one last season that he couldn’t believe we had found a Dusty mark #2 after one game, I think he’s not far off the mark tbh.

As much as I'm excited about the potential he's shown so far, I'm not a huge fan of making comments like he could be better than Dusty. Martin's ability to step up in big games was probably the best ever seen in the AFL. Suggesting that Lalor could exceed that is a pretty ridiculous bar to set.
I know you're only talking about potential, but let the kid play and establish himself first

 

[Meteoric Rise]

Prior to 2006 we had no full time recruiter.

2006(with 1 f/t recruiter) 1st pick Riewoldt 13, 2nd pick Edwards 26

2007 1st pick Cotchin 2, 2nd pick Rance 18

2008 1st pick Vickery 8, 2nd pick Post 26

2009(3 f/t recruiters) 1st pick Martin 3, 2nd pick Griffiths 19

2010 1st pick Conca 6, 2nd pick Batchelor 30

2011 1st pick Ellis 15, 2nd pick Elton 26

2012 1st pick Vlastuin 9, 2nd pick McIntosh 31.

14 picks inside 31 over 7 drafts.

Top liners: Cotchin, Edwards, Riewoldt, Rance, Martin, Vlastuin.

Other Premiership players: B Ellis, McIntosh.

Players who left for good compensation: Vickery(Bolton 29) and Deledio who was pre-existent on the list(20 Coleman-Jones & 25 Balta.)

Other players recruited during this period who went on to play in Premierships: Astbury, Grimes, Houli, Grigg

Basically 9 of the 14 top 31 picks + one pre-existing player(Deledio-Balta) were converted into Premiership players for us. And another 4 who were recruited outside the top 31 or in a low value trade.

That is what 1 and then 3 f/t recruiters did with 14 picks 31 or lower last time we were building a team.


================================================


This time, with 6 f/t recruiters and a whole load of accumulated IP.....our picks inside 31:


2021 Gibcus 9, Brown 17, Sonsie 28, Banks 29, Clarke 30

2024 Lalor 1, Smillie 7, Hotton 12, Faull 14, Trainor 21, Armstrong 23, Sims 28

2025 Cumming 7, Grlj 8, Peucker 31


We have already taken 15 picks inside pick 31 over a span of 5 drafts(last time it was 7 drafts for 14 players inside 31.) It produced 6 top liners and 3 other flag players + another player who left for good compensation.

Last rebuild 14 picks 2, 3, 6, 8, 9, 13, 15, 18, 19, 26, 26, 26, 30, 31. Average pick 17.

This rebuild 15 picks 1, 7, 7, 8, 9, 12, 14, 17, 21, 23, 28, 28, 29, 30, 31. Average pick 18.(remember the average picks our rivals are taking is also higher due to more teams)

A big difference is this time we have a fully funded recruiting department. Thus players like Miller & Campbell have been found who look capable of playing key roles in successful teams. And this time our recruits are being led by a very successful cohort of players from our last dynasty, last time they had to figure things out for themselves.

The other thing is in the previous rebuild there were no successful players of the future pre-existing on the list. This time that may be different with Balta, Miller, Ross, Ralphsmith, Rioli and you may as well say Taranto pre-existing on the list before the rebuild commenced, any or all of whom could be involved in future success.

If we got 6 top liners from 14 x top 31 picks last time, I don't think it is outrageous to think we might get as many or more from 15 x top 31 picks this time. Plus from outside those top 31 picks Campbell is already shaping as a high end player and several others couldn't be ruled out at this point, esp McAuliffe, Fawcett, Gray, Alger.

Another thing to note when taking cues from our previous rebuild, is that 7 seasons after the useful part of the rebuild started, we were a 15 win team, in 2013. If the 2021 draft turns out to be when the useful part of this current rebuild commences, then 2028 is the 7th season of the rebuild.

To be fair, the centre of gravity in this rebuild is skewed a bit later to 2024. But we can now add free agents at an earlier point than during the last rebuild. All going well, I do think that by about 2029 there is every reason to believe we should be pressing that top 3rd of the ladder. And top 10 by 2028 is definitely possible.

 

[beema limapep]

With our list and the way we are training, we should be finishing just inside the top 10.

 

[cairo tiger]

u

He has played about 6 full games of footy at any level in 3 years, and probably under instruction to ease himself into it.

understand but the lad should be fit now and match ready. a bit concerend a bout the lad